Alice Drops Out of Netflix on January 4th

First of all, Happy New Year, everyone! I wish I had better Netflix news than this to start the year with, but if you subscribe to the service, you've only got a couple of days left to stream one of the most unusual Disney classics (and a particular favorite here at Mouse Troop).

After months and months of steadily building up an impressive library of Disney films, the service is dropping one confused little girl, a grinning cat, a stressed-out rabbit and a pack of armed playing cards; Alice In Wonderland will disappear from the Netflix streaming service on January 4th.

I'm sure I'm not the only Disney fan surprised that Alice is the first major drop; Of all the Disney animated classics, Alice in Wonderland has been more or less in steady video release ever since the dawn of VHS. Along with Dumbo, Alice has been one of the "always there" Disney classics, never locked away for hiatus in the infamous "Disney Vault." I'm sorry to see it leaving the streaming lineup.

So, if you subscribe to Netflix and don't already own Alice In Wonderland in some format, the White Rabbit's watch is ticking. Boil some tea, make some bread-and-butterfly sandwiches and take one last drop down the rabbit hole before this wildly imaginative film, one of the strangest productions ever to emerge from Walt Disney Studios, vanishes from Netflix like a grinning Cheshire Cat.

Frozen Review: A Home Run for Disney Animation

Full of surprises, intense emotions, dazzling art and terrific music, Frozen is Disney's best non-Pixar animated film in ages. The studio publicists have been advertising it as their best movie since The Lion King, and I agree; Disney hasn't produced such a powerful, crowd-pleasing and memorable film since that 1994 hit.

Which Line Didn't Make it to Wonderland?

Disney's animated Alice in Wonderland isn't perfect, but its unique and unforgettable style makes it my favorite Disney film (or, at least tied for first place with Peter Pan).

The movie's sharp, off-the-wall lyrics and dialogue are quite unlike anything in any other Disney feature. Here's a list of some gems, but can you spot the line that didn't make it into the final film? The answer sits under the next pic.

1) What it is, it wouldn't be--and what it wouldn't be, it would.

2) Not aquamarine!

3) I never, never ever do a thing about the weather, 'cause the weather never, ever does a thing for me.

4) Doh something, Doo-doo!

5) Started it tomorrow, but we'll finish yesterday.
 
6)  How cheerfully he seems to grin, how neatly spreads his claws--and welcomes little fishes in with gently smiling jaws.

7) Follow the directions and directly you'll be directed in the right direction.

8) We don't want weeds in our bed!

9) If you'll believe that I believe that you believe in me, then I'll believe that you believe that I believe in you.
 
10) Start at the beginning, and when you get to the end...stop!

11) Don't tell the Queen what you have seen, nor say that's what we said.

12) This watch is full of wheels!

The Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes

With Splash Mountain looming in the background, one of Crockett's canoes passes the Fantasmic stage on Tom Sawyer Island.

 If you drop by Disneyland during the canoes' limited operating hours--and the sun's not too scorching--be sure to give this adventure a whirl. You'll get some great exercise (these are genuine trackless, people-powered canoes) and unique, up-close views of river landmarks you can't get from the Mark Twain or Columbia.

I love the ride's entry sign, too. It looks so charmingly, perfectly rustic (and that real forest background certainly helps) that the modern-day safety advisories don't disrupt the old-time atmosphere at all. It all just looks "right" with that classic Disneyland balance of history, fantasy and function.

Photos by Lana Whitham

Netflix adds Mulan and The Hunchback of Notre Dame

In a very solid, welcome little update to their increasingly-awesome library of streaming Disney films, Netflix has just added Mulan and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, both excellent productions well worth seeing.

And...oh, yeah...they also added the direct-to-video sequel Mulan II. We all remember Mulan II, right? Anyone?

Bit by bit, the Netflix digital Disney catalog is becoming very impressive. Check out our updated Disney on Netflix page for the full list of available classic animated films.

New DL Passholder Freebie Is Just About Perfect

Disneyland's customer base includes about a million California-dwelling Annual Passholders, and the free calendar now arriving in their mailboxes sends a pretty clear message: the management understands its most loyal fans.

My two all-time favorite ride posters

Instead of generic publicity photos or princess posing, the calendar features excellent little 6" x 9" attraction poster reproductions.

Atlantis Surfaces on Netflix

Netflix has just added Atlantis: The Lost Empire to its lineup of Disney films available for digital streaming.

Released in 2001, Atlantis has quite a bit in common with Treasure Planet (also on Netflix): It's a non-musical, straightforward science fiction/fantasy adventure about a fatherless young man on a quest to make a name for himself.

Also, like Treasure Planet, this film is greatly under-appreciated. If you've never seen Atlantis, now's your chance to embark on a terrific adventure that unfolds like an animated spiritual successor to live-action Disney adventures such as 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and In Search of the Castaways. Its unique blend of Jules Verne-inspired settings and hand drawn animation gives it a unique and very effective style. Highly recommended.

Small World Zoology: The Hippo

Continuing our look at Small World's awesome stylized menagerie, we have the unforgettable Hippo with its glowing eyes and lazily bobbing head. Since Day One, this creature has provided one of the most fun encounters on the musical trip around the globe.

To the right, you can see two of Small World's semi-controversial recent additions, Simba and Pumbaa (eating a grub). I actually like the addition of the Disney characters; they add another level of fun to the ride (character-spotting) without taking the spotlight away from the original cast...much.

As I mentioned in Part One of this little series, the animals provide most of the fun and humor on It's a Small World. I really think many of the folks who claim to be "creeped out" by all the singing child dolls simply aren't paying enough attention to the ride's charming and hilarious wildlife.

Reviewing the Netflix Disney Films: Treasure Planet

Before I start nit-picking, I'd like to make one thing clear: Treasure Planet, Disney's sci-fi/fantasy retelling of Treasure Island, is a beautiful, entertaining film and well worth watching. It contains some of the best animated "acting" ever to appear on screen, and much of its imagery is unforgettable. It's the only family-friendly film one could reasonably file under "Steam-Punk," and it's got more imagination on display in any given five seconds of footage than most of todays sci-fi films have in their entire running length.

There are, however, good reasons the movie didn't connect with a wider audience in its theatrical run.

Dreaming of the Hatbox Ghost (with Fish Heads & Crumbs)

The Haunted Mansion will be closed through January 17th in order to switch back from Holiday mode to HM classic. Each year as this happens, all Mansion fans wonder if any surprise changes or additions will take place during the closure.

Everyone wants the Hatbox Ghost to return someday. That legendary attic dweller (whose head disappeared from his shoulders and reappeared in the hatbox he held) was evicted from the ride soon after its debut, as the lighting-dependent effect didn't work as well as hoped. With all of today's technological advances, there seems to be no reason the Hatbox Ghost couldn't make a triumphant return.

But if they can't get ol' Hatbox back, well...they could always hold auditions for an equally awesome replacement...

Mad Tea Party Magic

I was sorting through my Disneyland photos while listening to Christmas music, and the classic 1903 Victor Herbert song "Toyland" played as I came across this shot. I smiled at the line, "...once you pass its borders, you can never return again."

Victor Herbert never saw Disneyland, a place where adults eagerly hop into giant teacups to take a spin with their families and friends. No one feels ridiculous; Disneyland exists for moments like this. Sometimes you can return to Toyland, if only for brief, wonderful, fleeting moments.

DIsney On Netflix: A List of the Available Films

As you probably know by now, Disney has signed a deal with Netflix to stream classic Disney films directly into homes. The first wave of titles has arrived on the service.

Update: More titles have appeared on the service, and we've added them to the list below, as well as to our Disney-on-Netflix page.

UPDATE NOTE: 02/23/14 - Added Brother Bear.

As of this writing, Netflix has no "Disney" category set up, nor any way to easily see a complete list of Disney films they've made available for streaming. Hopefully, this will be remedied in the near future.

In the meantime, I've dug around through the company's search engine and various categories to bring you this list of Disney titles that have recently made Netflix their home:

ANIMATED CLASSICS:

The Aristocats
Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Brother Bear
Dumbo
The Emperor's New Groove
The Fox and the Hound
The Great Mouse Detective
Hercules
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
James and the Giant Peach
Lilo and Stitch
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Mater's Tall Tales
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas
Mulan
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Pocahontas
The Reluctant Dragon
The Rescuers
The Rescuers Down Under
Robin Hood
The Sword in the Stone
Treasure PlanetWho Framed Roger Rabbit

More animated classics, such as Mr. Toad, Mickey and the Beanstalk and Paul Bunyan have recently been added as part of the Disney Animation series:

THE DISNEY ANIMATION SERIES

Vol 1: Mickey and the Beanstalk

     Mickey and the Beanstalk
     Brave Little Tailor
     Gulliver Mickey
     Thru the Mirror
     Mr. Mouse takes a trip

 Vol 2: The Three Little Pigs

     Three Little Pigs
     The Big Bad Wolf
     Three Little Wolves
     Lambert the Sheepish Lion
     Chicken little
     Three Blind Mouseketeers
     Elmer Elephant

Vol. 3:  The Prince and the Pauper

     The Prince and the Pauper
     The Pied Piper
     Old King Cole
     Knight for a Day (Goofy)
     Ye Olden Days (Mickey)

Vol. 4: The Tortoise and the Hare

     The Tortoise and the Hare
     Babes in the Woods
     The Saga of Windwagon Smith (A fantastic, rarely seen gem!)
     The Goddess of spring
     Toby Tortoise Returns
     Paul Bunyan (One of Disney's all-time best short films!)

Vol. 5: The Wind in the Willows

     The Wind in the Willows (also known as The Adventures of Mr. Toad)
     The Ugly Duckling
     The Robber Kitten
     The Grasshopper and the Ants
     The Wise Little Hen (Donald Duck's first appearance)
     The Golden Touch
      
DisneyToon and Direct-toVideo Animated Films

An Extremely Goofy MovieSnowed in at the House of Mouse
Mickey's House of Villains
Pocahontas II
Brother Bear 2
The Fox and the Hound 2
The Hunchback of Notre Dame 2
Kronk's New Groove
Leroy and Stitch
Lilo and Stitch 2
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally
Mulan II
Stitch the Movie
Tarzan and Jane
The Three Musketeers
The Tigger Movie
Tinkerbell
Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure
Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue
Tinkerbell: Secret of the Wings
Phineas and Ferb: The Movie


Non-Disney Animation Released by Disney

The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue
The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars

Major Live Action Films

The Avengers
Holes
Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
Escape to Witch Mountain
101 Dalmatians (live-action)
Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves
The Big Green
The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story (live action sequel)
I'll Be Home For Christmas
One Magic Christmas
Disney Nature: The Crimson Wing
Disney Nature: Wings of Life


Television Series

Phineas and Ferb
Dinosaurs
Tron Uprising
Schoolhouse Rock: Earth
Jake and the Never Land Pirates
Handy Manny
Jo Jo's Circus
Special Agent Oso

Non-Disney Films of Particular Interest to Disney Fans:

The Croods
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Dr. Dolittle (Rex Harrison version)
 
I haven't included some recent Disney Channel Films and "Buddy" talking puppy adventures. Please check out our dedicated and continually-updated Disney-On-Netflix page, which includes some Disney titles which were on the service (and remain there) before this recent deal.

Netflix has just made the best move in the company's history. Let's see where they take it from here.

WDW 1993: Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

I love Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and I'm very glad I got a chance to ride both tracks of the Walt Disney World version several times before it went away.

Why is a Disneyland-centric website posting this? Well, I just found all the photos from Mouse Troop's 1993 Walt Disney World trip. I think fans on both coasts might enjoy some views of World of Motion, Cranium Command, the original Journey Into Imagination and a lot of other wonderful attractions as they existed back then.

Look for Walt Disney World 1993 popping up a couple of times a week on Mouse Troop. These photos bring back some incredible memories for us; we hope you'll enjoy them.

By the way, of the two Mr. Toad tracks, the one with the farm, the weasels and the cops was my favorite.

Classic Ride Review: Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

Disneyland's original 1959 Submarine Voyage closed in 1998, leaving Tomorrowland's wonderful lagoon sub-less for years. Finally, in 2007, the attraction reopened after extensive remodeling as the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.

Guests descend a steep metal staircase to take a seat below water level in one of Disneyland's famous submarines to view the aquatic world through a porthole. As the cabin lights dim, the vehicle leaves the dock, cruising smoothly through the spectacular flora and fauna of the outdoor lagoon. The sights here are all solid, physical fabrications -- basic but effective. This section of the journey plays out very much like the start of the original 1959 ride, with a few Finding Nemo touches blended in to ease the transition from naturalistic sealife to fantasy world.

The subs pass through a waterfall into the indoor section of the ride, and everything quickly gets more colorful, more story-driven and more animated. Nemo has swum off on an adventure, and you give chase with Marlin and Dory through encounters with other characters from the Pixar film, including sea turtles, sharks, jellyfish, scary angler fish and whales.

Some fans bemoan the change, claiming the original ride was much better. I say it's all a matter of taste. The old version was a classic 1950's/1960's-style Disney adventure with fairly impressive mechanical effects, including mermaids, toppling stone columns and a lovable sea serpent. You could see the strings and rods, but it was still fun. The new ride--once inside the show building--relies heavily on high-def animation, trading huge sets for a more intimate, character-driven experience. It's funny, colorful and spectacular. As cute as the whale finale is, however, I think if they brought back the old sea serpent near the ending (not just the serpent tribute the Imagineers included in the rockwork), both camps would be satisfied.

A classic reborn for a new generation, the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage blends old and new into a fun, beautiful adventure. It's not the most thrilling ride in the park, but the subs themselves make the experience unique. Well worth checking out if the wait is twenty minutes or less.

WARNINGS: You will be spending about fifteen minutes--possibly longer--sitting in a tightly-packed, dark chamber, though air jets beneath each porthole help keep it from feeling claustrophobic. One particular scene may frighten small children.

Weirdest Classic in Fantasyland: Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

When most people think of Disneyland's Fantasyland, they think of Sleeping Beauty Castle, Teacups and Dumbo. Plunging into hell after being killed by an oncoming train probably doesn't enter their minds. To a true fan, however, no trip to Disneyland is complete without a spin through Fantasyland's weirdest attraction, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. If you've never rampaged through moonlit London aboard one of Toad's out-of-control motorcars, be sure to check out this gem on your next trip. Like all of the classic Disneyland dark rides, it keeps getting tweaked and improved. I love the recently enhanced "crashing through the fireplace" effects.

Disney's got an animated Mr. Toad's Wild Ride film in production, and they're boasting it's based on the ride. The odd thing is, the ride's already based on Disney's own film,  "The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad," which is based on Kenneth Grahame's classic novel, "The Wind in the Willows."

So, soon we'll have a movie based on a ride based on a movie based on a book. Crumpets, anyone?